Jun142013

Washington D.C. - House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Adam Smith, made the following statement after the House voted down an amendment to close the detention facility located at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba:

“I am disappointed to see that Republicans have voted to keep open the unnecessary and expensive detention facility located at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This facility is an international eyesore that undermines our national security objectives, damages our credibility with regard to human rights and international law, and is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars. Taxpayers spend $1.6 million per year per detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. That is a financial cost that we can no longer afford. As we move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House, Senate, and the White House to close this facility.”